Apparatus for inverting containers

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided for inverting containers which have open mesh wire sides or other suitable openings. The containers are moved to abut a rotating drum which is provided with projection means for projecting through the openings and temporarily engaging the containers. After engagement with the rotating drum and the projection means the containers are rotated with the drum to an inverted position where they fall away from the projection means and are received by a receiving means for insertion into a production line.

United States Patent [191 Koch [ June 24, 1975 APPARATUS FOR INVERTINGCONTAINERS [76] Inventor Andrew T. Koch, 1 Upper Mountain Ave.,Montclair, NJ. 07042 [22] Filed: Oct. 5, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 403,777

[52] US. Cl. 214/8.5 H; 198/242; 214/312 [51] Int. Cl. B65g 59/02 [58]Field of Search 214/1 Q, 130 R, 130 C,

214/D1G. 1, 314, 312, 8.5 R, 8.5 A, 8.5 H; 198/211, 239, 241-243 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,646,571 10/1927 Avis 214/DIG. 1X 2,851,147 9/1958 Hageline et al 214/1 Q 3,140,769 7/1964 Maxwell198/211 X 3,181,710 5/1965 Schmidt 214/1 Q 10/1967 Garrett 198/165 X4/1973 Schlueter et a1 198/25 Primary ExaminerFrank E. Werner Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Morgan, Finnegan, Durham & Pine [5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatusis provided for inverting containers which have open mesh wire sides orother suitable openings. The containers are moved to abut a rotatingdrum which is provided with projection means for projecting through theopenings and temporarily engaging the containers. After engagement withthe rotating drum and the projection means the containers are rotatedwith the drum to an inverted position where they fall away from theprojection means and are received by a receiving means for insertioninto a production line.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN24 ms 7 3,891,098

sum 3 APPARATUS FOR INVERTING CONTAINERS BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates generally to inverter mechanismsof utility especially in inverting containers for automatic packaging,and relates more particularly to certain new and useful improvements inthe simplification of such inverter mechanisms.

Many industries have production line requirements which necessitate theinversion of boxes for packaging or dumping purposes. This need hasresulted in the design and construction of a number of differentinversion systems, all of which are relatively complex and requirenumerous moving parts which interact in a timed relationship. Theseinversion systems are highly disadvantageous in that the numerous movingparts are expensive, bulky and noisy in operation; they require constantmaintenance and there is a high incidence of failure resulting in delayon the production lines.

Some of these complex systems have been designed for use with fragilecontainers which require a relatively gentle treatment. There are,however, many production line containers that do not require such gentletreatment such as, for example, wire mesh cases and wooden boxes usedfor milk cartons or bottles. The milk cases must be inverted forcleaning and filling. The entire production operation is dependent on aconstant supply of inverted cases and shutdown of the inverter apparatusfor repair or adjustment idles a large number of employees and machinesat a substantial cost.

Examples of prior art inverter systems are described in U.S. Pat. No.l,2l0,096 and 2,883,078. These systems require a large assortment oflinkages, belts, and reciprocating arms and pulleys, all operating in atimed relationship.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an inverterapparatus which obviates the disadvantages of previously known invertermechanisms.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inverter apparatuswhich is of simplified, rugged construction so as to require little orno maintenance and substantially eliminate the possibility of failureand subsequent costly delay in production lines.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus forinverting containers constructed of open mesh wire or other suitableopenings.

Objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part herein andin part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with theinvention, the same being realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions. arrangements.combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described. the present invention isdirected to an apparatus for inverting containers having openingstherein, which includes a drum mounted for rotation on a frame. The drumis provided with guide means extending radially outwardly therefrom andprojection means extending outwardly from the surface of the drum, thelatter being inclined in the direction of rotation of the drum.

A suitable container is delivered to a work station where the inverterapparatus is located, where one of the sides of the container engagesthe rotating drum. Thereafter, the projection means temporarily engagesopenings in the container to thereby lift and rotate the container withthe drum until the container reaches an inverted position, whereupon itfalls away from the projection means and is received by a suitablereceiving means for insertion into the production lines.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory ofthe invention but are not restrictive thereof.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation ofan inverter mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention, theview also showing apparatus for delivering and receiving the containers;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged view in side elevation, partly insection, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a container in contact with theinverter drum and the inverter projection means engaging the openings ofthe container; 7

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inverter drum shown inFIG. 1, with portions cutaway to show the projection means;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged view in side elevation similar to thatof FIGS. 1 and 2, the view illustrating the path of movement of acontainer during inversion; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularlyto the accompanying drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1, an inverterapparatus 10, including an inverter drum 12, an elevator 14 and areceiving chute 16.

The inverter drum 12 includes a steel cylinder 18 enclosed at its endsby end plates 20 and 22 (FIG. 5), which advantageously may be weldedthereto. The end plates 20 and 22 may be constructed with centralapertures which'accommodate a drum axle 24, and are suitably affixed forrotation with the axle 24, as by set screws or by welding.

The drum axle 24 is mounted for rotation on a frame 34. An electricmotor 36 is connected through a drive chain 38 to axle 24 to impart arotary motion to the axle and, hence, drum 12.

Guide flanges 26 and 28 are suitably rigidly mounted on the cylinder 18,e.g. by welding, and extend radially outwardly therefrom (see FIG. 5).

Also suitably secured to cylinder 18, as by welding. as here preferablyembodied, are two pairs of projection means, advantageously comprisingstuds 30 and 32, which also extend outwardly from the cylinder 18. Thepairs of studs 30 and 32 are advantageously inclined in the direction ofrotation of drum 18 at an angle of approximately 45, as best seen inFIGS. 2 and 4. The pairs of studs 30 and 32 advantageously are locateddiametrically opposite to one another on the cylinder 18.

It will be understood that, in alternative embodi ments of theinvention, only one pair of projections may be provided on drum 12, orthree pairs may be provided preferably 120 apart. or four pairs may beprovided preferably 90 apart. The number of pairs of projections isdetermined by the speed at which the containers are to be picked off andinverted and the respective sizes of the drum and containers. Thetwopair, diametrically opposed embodiment illustrated is preferred as itpermits more universal usage and provides ample time for each containerto be moved away from the inverter apparatus before another container ispicked up.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the inverter apparatus of the present inventionhas particular utility for use with containers including openings orapertures to receive the pairs of studs 30 and 32 and, to this end, theinverter apparatus 10 is shown in use inverting wire mesh milk cases 40.

An elevator 14 is mounted in frame 34 for lifting the cases 40 intoengagement the the drum 12 and one pair of studs 30 or 32. To accomplishthis, two continuous chains 50 and 52 are vertically mounted withinframe 34 and spaced to accommodate the cases 40, as best seen in FIG. 5.Each set of chains 50 and 52 is mounted for simultaneous rotation ongears 54 and 56, the gears 54 and 56 being driven by a motor 58 througha drive chain 60, as shown in FIG. 1. Chains 50 and 52 are mechanicallycoupled to angle flights (not shown) which raise the cases 40. Aspring-biased lever arm 62 mounted on the frame 34 urges the top case 40against the drum 12.

A receiving chute 16 is mounted on frame 34 and positioned adjacent thedrum 12, on the side opposite the elevator 14, to receive the invertedcases 40 as they drop from drum 12. A trash bin 62 may be advantageouslypositioned below chute 16 to receive any refuse present in the cases 40.

In operation, a stack of cases 40 is delivered to the elevator 14,tripping a switch 64 which aetuates the elevator drive motor 58. Thechains 50 and 52 elevate angle flights (not shown) thereby lifting thestack of cases 40 toward the inverter drum 12 so that the sides of thecases 40 tangentially engage the drum 12. At the top of the elevator 14,each case 40 engages lever arm 62 to be thereby urged into contact withthe drum l2, and simultaneously actuate motor 36 by an appropriateswitch (not shown) to thereby rotate axle 24 and drum 12, causing one ofthe pairs of studs 30, 32 to engage rod 42 through openings 46, 47 inthe side of case 40. As the drum 12 rotates, case 40 is lifted and isheld between guide flanges 26 and 28 by the studs 30 or 32. When therotating case 40 moves beyond a vertical position (a line extendingvertically through the center of the drum 12), it begins to fall awayfrom the drum l2 and eventually drops onto chute 16, as shown in FIG. 4.Any refuse in the case 40 falls into trash bin 62. The inverted cases 40are thereafter gravity fed or moved by suitable mechanical means. e.g.,a conveyor. to a standard production line.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificembodiments herein shown and described but departures may be madetherefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims, without departingfrom the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for individually removing and thereafter invertingcontainers or the like having opening means therein from a stack of suchcontainers. including means for delivering said stack of said containersto a work station and means for receiving the inverted containers fromthe work station, an improved de-stacking and inverting mechanism at thework station which comprises:

rotating drum means having a generally cylindrical surface positioned soas to approximately peripherally contact one side of the uppermostcontainer in said stack of containers delivered thereto; projectionmeans fixedly mounted to said cylindrical surface of said drum means forrotation therewith, said projection means being mounted at an angle ofapproximately 45 to said cylindrical surface and inclined outwardlytherefrom in the direction of I rotation of said drum means; and saidprojection means adapted to extend through said opening means in saiduppermost container upon rotation of said drum means to therebyreleasably engage said uppermost container between said projection meansand said cylindrical surface of said drum means whereby said drum meansremoves said uppermost container from said stack and thereafter rotatessaid uppermost container therewith for delivery and release to thereceiving means in an inverted position.

2. Apparatus for inverting contains as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidprojection means includes at least one pair of studs mounted to saidcylindrical surface of said rotating drum means in spaced alignment.

3. Apparatus for inverting containers as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

said projection means comprises two pairs of said studs spacedapproximately apart on the circumferential surface of said drum.

4. Apparatus for inverting containers as claimed in claim 1, including:

means biasing said uppermost container in said stack of containersagainst the circumferential surface of said rotating drum means at saidwork station. 5. Apparatus for inverting containers as claimed in claim1, wherein:

said containers comprise open mesh wire cases formed from a plurality ofinterconnected, spaced vertical and horizontal wire rods, and whereinone of said horizontal wire rods is engaged between said projectionmeans and said cylindrical surface of said drum means for removal of thewire mesh container from said stack and subsequent rotation to aninverted position.

6. Apparatus for inverting containers as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid rotating drum means includes:

a generally cylindrical drum closed at opposite ends by circular plateshaving central apertures therein; an axle extending through saidapertures in said drum end plates and affixed thereto; and

a pair of spaced. annular flange plates secured to said cylindricalsurface of said drum adjacent the opposite ends thereof and extendingradially outwardly therefrom so as to receive said uppermost con-3,891,098 6 taincr from said stack of containers therebetween liftingsaid uppermost container upwardly and thereafand guide its removal fromSaid Stack and Subse' ter rotating said uppermost container through anarc quem mtauon 9 the inverted p slightly greater than 90, whereupon thecontainer is 7. Apparatus for inverting containers as claimed in claim1, wherein said projection means removes said 5 released m an Invertedposmonuppermost container from said stack of containers by

1. In an apparatus for individually removing and thereafter invertingcontainers or the like having opening means therein from a stack of suchcontainers, including means for delivering said stack of said containersto a work station and means for receiving the inverted containers fromthe work station, an improved de-stacking and inverting mechanism at thework station which comprises: rotating drum means having a generallycylindrical surface positioned so as to approximately peripherallycontact one side of the uppermost container in said stack of containersdelivered thereto; projection means fixedly mounted to said cylindricalsurface of said drum means for rotation therewith, said projection meansbeing mounted at an angle of approximately 45* to said cylindricalsurface and inclined outwardly therefrom in the direction of rotation ofsaid drum means; and said projection means adapted to extend throughsaid opening means in said uppermost container upon rotation of saiddrum means to thereby releasably engage said uppermost container betweensaid projection means and said cylindrical surface of said drum means,whereby said drum means removes said uppermost container from said stackand thereafter rotates said uppermost container therewith for deliveryand release to the receiving means in an inverted position.
 2. Apparatusfor inverting contains as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projectionmeans includes at least one pair of studs mounted to said cylindricalsurface of said rotating drum means in spaced alignment.
 3. Apparatusfor inverting containers as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said projectionmeans comprises two pairs of said studs spaced approximately 180* aparton the circumferential surface of said drum.
 4. Apparatus for invertingcontainers as claimed in claim 1, including: means biasing saiduppermost container in said stack of containers against thecircumferential surface of said rotating drum means at said workstation.
 5. Apparatus for inverting containers as claimed in claim 1,wherein: said containers comprise open mesh wire cases formed from aplurality of interconnected, spaced vertical and horizontal wire rods,and wherein one of said horizontal wire rods is engaged between saidprojection means and said cylindrical surface of said drum means forremoval of the wire mesh container from said stack and subsequentrotation to an inverted position.
 6. Apparatus for inverting containersas claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotating drum means includes: agenerally cylindrical drum closed at opposite ends by circular plateshaving central apertures therein; an axle extending through saidapertures in said drum end plates and affixed thereto; and a pair ofspaced, annular flange plates secured to said cylindrical surface ofsaid drum adjacent the opposite ends thereof and extending radiallyoutwardly therefrom so as to receive said uppermost container from saidstack of containers therebetween and guide its removal from said stackand subsequent rotation to the inverted position.
 7. Apparatus forinverting containers as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projectionmeans removes said uppermost container from said stack of containers bylifting said uppermost container upwardly and thereafter rotating saiduppermost container through an arc slightly greater than 90*, whereuponthe container is released in an inverted position.